Creon
Extended Character Analysis
Creon is the King of Thebes and a recurring character throughout the Oedipus Trilogy. He rose to power after the deaths of Eteocles and Polynices, who inherited the throne from their father, Oedipus. Creon is a practiced statesman who has assisted the rulers of Thebes for many years. At the start of Antigone, he is well respected for his rational, level-headed approach to leadership. However, his cold rationality fails to account for the familial bonds that lead Antigone to bury her brother. He also disregards the gods’ demands that the dead be treated with dignity.
Creon as Complicated Antagonist
Though Creon is the antagonist of Antigone, he is not necessarily a villain. His actions are not intentionally spiteful or evil. Instead, Creon is attempting to create stability and order in a country recently riven by civil war. The Theban people view Polynices as a traitor who led an army against his own country. Creon’s decree that Polynices shall not receive a proper burial stems from his belief that enemies of Thebes are not owed the same respect and dignity in death. Creon is less a heartless villain and more a Theban nationalist. For Creon, the safety and stability of Thebes is more important than sentimentality or religious observances.
Creon can also be interpreted as an oppressive authority figure. By this reading, Antigone is a hero who defies Creon in order to do what she believes is right. By contrast, Creon ignores the advice of Haemon, the chorus, and Teiresias and stubbornly asserts the superiority of his own narrow judgment. He insists that Antigone must be punished, or else he will be seen as a lesser man and leader. By this reading, Creon is chiefly concerned with maintaining his own dominance and reputation. The fate of Thebes is of secondary importance.
Creon as Tragic Hero
Creon can be read as the play’s tragic hero. Perhaps even more so than Antigone, Creon experiences the reversal of fortune that Aristotle identifies as essential to the formation of a tragic figure. He begins at a high point as the newly appointed King of Thebes. He has the respect of his people and his family. Creon’s hamartia, or tragic flaw, is hubris, which leads him to believe that the laws of the state are more important than the so called unwritten laws of the gods. Because of this stubborn belief in his own judgment, Creon loses his family and the respect of his people. At the end of the play, he recognizes his errors in judgment and laments the losses it has cost him.
There are many parallels between Creon in Antigone and Oedipus in Oedipus Rex that reinforce Creon’s status as a tragic hero. Both begin their respective trajectories as powerful and respected kings, and both are ultimately punished for defying the will of the gods. The people around both Creon and Oedipus attempt to warn them against their pursuits, but both men remain committed to their chosen paths until it is too late. Ultimately, both Creon and Oedipus learn that no mortal is superior to the will of the gods. Creon repeats these mistakes despite having witnessed Oedipus’s downfall, which speaks to the human tendency to exaggerate one’s own importance.
Expert Q&A
In Antigone, what does Teiresias predict for Creon and what mistakes does he highlight?
In Antigone, Creon's mistakes were to forbid the burial of Polynices, an act which is hateful to the gods, and to then order Antigone's death by entombment. Teiresias warns Creon to change course, stating that the gods will punish him if he does not, and that Creon will suffer greatly as a result.
Who does Creon blame for the events at the end of Antigone?
At the end of "Antigone," Creon blames himself for the tragic events, acknowledging his hubris and stubbornness as the causes. He recognizes his moral blindness and accepts responsibility for the deaths of his son, wife, and niece. Creon's refusal to obey divine laws and his insistence on his own authority lead to his downfall. Through his suffering, Creon gains self-awareness, realizing his pride led to his family's destruction.
Where in Antigone does Creon demonstrate his loyalty to his country?
"The city is the king’s” (825).
Creon demonstrates his loyalty to Thebes by prioritizing the city's interests over familial ties. In his first speech, he emphasizes the importance of state integrity and dismisses nepotism, stating that a ruler must not place friends or family above the state. By refusing to bury Polynices, whom he deems a traitor, and treating Antigone, his son's fiancée, without favoritism, Creon believes he is acting patriotically to maintain law and order.
In Antigone, what principles does Creon uphold?
Creon upholds principles of strict nationalism and authoritarian rule, prioritizing loyalty to the state above personal relationships. He believes in absolute obedience and punishes rebellion harshly, as seen in his refusal to bury Polyneices, whom he views as a traitor. Creon also believes he is acting with divine support, aligning his actions with what he perceives as the gods' will. His inflexibility and self-centeredness ultimately lead to his downfall, demonstrating the dangers of despotic power.
What is Creon's motivation in Antigone?
Creon's motivation in "Antigone" is primarily to uphold the integrity of the state and enforce the rule of law, reflecting his belief that his authority as king embodies the state itself. His decrees aim to demonstrate absolute power, even at the cost of clashing with religious customs. Despite being advised otherwise, his pride and inflexibility lead to tragic consequences. Creon is ultimately driven by patriotism and a desire to restore Thebes to stability through strong leadership.
Does the play agree or disagree with Creon's claim that a king's rule, even if wrong, must be obeyed to avoid chaos?
The play ultimately disagrees with Creon's claim that a king's rule must be obeyed to avoid chaos. While Creon believes his authority is essential to maintaining order in Thebes, Antigone's defiance highlights the supremacy of divine law over human law. The tragedy that befalls Creon and his family underscores the play's moral: that the gods' laws must be respected above all. Creon's rigid enforcement of his edict leads to personal and communal disaster, illustrating his flawed judgment.
What are Creon's views on women and femininity in Antigone?
Creon views women as inherently inferior, reflecting the norms of ancient Greece, where women's roles were confined to the home. Antigone's defiance of his orders not only challenges his authority as king but also threatens his masculinity and societal gender roles. Creon's reaction, including ordering Antigone's execution, is an assertion of male dominance and sovereignty. Antigone's actions contrast with traditional gender expectations, which Creon perceives as a societal threat.
What happens to Creon at the end of Sophocles' Antigone?
At the end of Sophocles' Antigone, Creon is devastated by the tragic deaths of Antigone, his son Haemon, and his wife Eurydice, all of whom commit suicide. Creon acknowledges his responsibility for these deaths and is overwhelmed by grief, transforming from a confident ruler to a sorrowful man who prays for death, contemplating suicide.
Is Creon justified in denying Polyneices' burial and condemning Antigone's defiance?
Creon is justified in denying Polyneices' burial due to his duty to the kingdom, viewing Polyneices as a traitor who attacked Thebes. As king, Creon prioritizes state law over family ties. When Antigone defies this decree, Creon shows some leniency due to familial connections, questioning her motivations. However, her persistent defiance forces Creon to uphold his authority and the law, justifying his actions to maintain respect and control as king.
How does Creon treat women, particularly Antigone, in the Prologue? Would Antigone's treatment differ if she were a man?
"We are only women, we cannot fight with men, Antigone." - Ismene
Creon treats women as inferior, demonstrated by his anger when Antigone defies him, reflecting traditional Greek societal views. His hubris and refusal to listen to Antigone's reasoning highlight his authoritarian stance. If Antigone were a man, Creon might have been less intensely angry and possibly more willing to listen, but he would still likely refuse to yield. Antigone's gender complicates Creon's authority as it challenges his image and earns her sympathy from others.
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